Louisiana is bracing for more heavy rainfall that could lead to damaging flash flooding across the state.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
Around 10 million people across Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle are under flash flood watches Friday.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur are continuing to bring heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding to the Southeast, including Louisiana and Mississippi.
Earlier this week, Louisiana residents reported downed trees, heavy rain and strong winds. NBC News teams on the ground saw knee-deep floodwaters, flipped-over train cars and destruction to buildings.
Arthur is expected to emerge over the Atlantic Ocean on Friday afternoon and has a 10% chance of regaining strength the next few days. Even if that happens, it will be moving away from the coast with no additional impacts expected.
On Friday, slow-moving storms will be capable of producing 2 to 3 inches of rainfall per hour, which will likely result in additional flash flooding. Cities under a moderate risk for flooding include Hattiesburg and Biloxi in Mississippi and Mobile and Dothan in Alabama, where additional rainfall totals through Saturday may reach 4 to 6 inches.
In Louisiana, the state record for a 24-hour rainfall is 22 inches. Preliminary rainfall totals predicted so far include 29 inches in Cottonport, 22 inches in Plaucheville and 17 inches in Simmesport near the Atchafalaya River.
If the preliminary numbers are verified, Friday’s rainfall will set a new 24-hour record for the state.
Rainfall totals elsewhere in the South include a foot of rain in Perkinston and Black Creek, Mississippi, and 11 inches in Village Mills, Texas.
